A CRC is a medium to long-term industry-led collaboration between research and industry – funded by the Australian Government’s CRC Grant Program. CRCs aim to solve industry-identified problems and improve the competitiveness, productivity and sustainability of Australian industries. CRCs focus on research and development that delivers practical outcomes with measurable economic, environmental, and social impact.
There is no specified limit to the amount of funding for an individual CRC; however, the number and scale of CRC Grants made in a given selection round will depend on the total available funding. The average CRC Grant in recent rounds is $45 million over a 10 year period. Applicants should request grant funds that are proportional to the scope and complexity of the industry-led research program.
A CRC Grant must, at a minimum, be matched by the total cash and/or in-kind contributions committed by the participants in the application (partner contributions).A CRC must operate for a minimum of three years and a maximum of ten years. The AIEDD CRC will be a ten year CRC. Participants are encouraged to commit to the CRC for the entire duration of the grant to maximise their cash leverage. Participants are not required to commit to the entire duration and can exit from the CRC at any time following a period of notice.
If successfully funded, the CRC entity must be established and governed as an incorporated company, limited by guarantee. Upon incorporation, CRC participants may enter into a Partner Agreement with the CRC entity and be members, or be entitled to become members of the CRC entity.
The AIEDD CRC will be governed by a CRC Board, which must include a majority of Board members that are independent of the Partners, including an independent Chairperson. The AIEDD CRC bid leadership team have developed a draft Terms Sheet which describes the proposed CRC governance and management structure.A CRC must include at least two Australian industry entities, and at least three Australian research organisations. Beyond this requirement, participants can include companies, universities, government departments, and other organisations including not-for-profits and peak bodies.
There is no minimum organisation size or period of operation required for industry partners, but the organisation must be active and operating. As long as your organisation meets the definition of an Australian industry entity and is currently operating in Australia they may be an industry entity for eligibility purposes. If in doubt, please reach out to discuss your eligibility.Partners must make contributions of cash and/or in-kind support, such as staff time, equipment use, access to data or facilities, and other resources that support project delivery.
Participants must sign a Declaration Form outlining the cash, full-time equivalent staff, and non-staff in-kind support they intend to commit to the CRC, should the application be successful. Note: This Declaration Form does not constitute a legally binding partner agreement or contract.The CRC application process involves two stages. The Stage 1 application requires description of the industry problem, research program, and key personnel, and responses to the program assessment criteria. It also requires attachment of information about partners’ involvement and contributions, and signed Declaration Forms for each CRC partner.
Stage 1 applications are assessed by the CRC Advisory Committee. Shortlisted applicants are then required to submit a Stage 2 application that responds to the Advisory Committee’s Stage 1 feedback, as well as providing further details on the financials, proposed activities and milestones, and information about the anticipated economic impact of the CRC.
Stage 2 applications are assessed by the CRC Advisory Committee, and applicants will be interviewed by the CRC Advisory Committee, before determination of grant outcomes.We are preparing for Round 27 of the CRC Grant scheme. Specific dates have not yet been released. Based on Round 26, it is anticipated that Round 27 may open in March 2026, and be open for applications for approximately six weeks.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) Program are answered below.
